Odisha Welcomes Centre’s Agnipath Scheme, Contemplates Quota For Agniveers In Police

Bhubaneswar: Welcoming the Centre’s Agnipath scheme, the state government is contemplating to come up with a policy to induct Agniveers into Odisha Police after their retirement from defence service.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday on state government’s response to Agnipath and protests against it, Minister of State for Home Tusharkanti Behera said the youths were opposing its process. However, he hoped that the Centre would come up with solutions in this regard soon.

Behera said since there is reservation for NCC certificate holders for recruitment to Odisha Police, similar provision can be made for the Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme.

He further said though no policy decision has been taken in this regard, the government is contemplating in similar line to create employment opportunities for the youths of the state.

Stating that Agnipath is a temporary recruitment process into defence forces, he said it also offers opportunity to the recruits to get permanent appointment after completing their 4-year term. Besides, the Centre has announced their induction into different sectors.

It may be noted that following protests in different parts of the country, the Centre announced 10% reservation for Agniveers in the jobs offered by Union Home and Defence ministries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the quota will be applicable in the Indian Coast Guard and civilian posts in defence and all 16 defence Public Sector Undertakings.

Besides, there will be reservation for Agniveers in the Central Armed Police Forces and the Assam Rifles paramilitary force.

The Centre announced the Agnipath scheme on June 14. Under the short-term contractual scheme, recruitment to non-commissioned ranks would be made in the three services of the armed forces. The recruits to be called Agniveers will serve for four years after which they would be given retirement benefit of Rs 12 lakh.